Washer Jets performing badly?? I may have the answer...

[Jamie]

My coupes washer jets had almost packed up - just a tiny squirt comming out. Its been sooo cold that I could not be arsed sorting it out - but then it was MOT time, so I HAD to!!

Investigation found the problem - and what a little biiaatch it turned out to be.

I pulled off the main cover (where the engine BMW badge is )

I undid the washer bottle nut and out came the washer bottle. I uncliped the protective cover from around the motor which enabled you to pull the motor out from the bottle. Next you need to pull the hose from the motor - bit of a yank, but it will come off - finally unclip the cable going to the BOTTOM of the bottle..ive been advised NOT to unclip the cable going to the motor - may flag up an engine fault code...

So - first check, run the pump and see if i get soaked from the water - indeed i did...good, nothing wrong with the hosees in the car etc...

Only other place is within the washer bottle itself - and there u have it. Where the motor fits into, there is a rubber grommet. Pull this out and you have a tiny water filter - find this covered in angle and stinking

After a soak and wash in warm water, i put the whole thing back to gether and gey presto - i now have jet washer for windscreen washers!!

Job done...

Jamie

[Chaos]

'gey presto' - is that a homosexual magician? :D

Nice write-up Jamie. :)

[Tilly]

Its actually a common fault on many cars. I used to work as a mechanic in a ford dealership and they too have the same problem (no surprises there then) but instead of cleaning it and the problem reoccuring later down the line we used to stick our little finger in the hole on the washer bottle and actually pierce the filter, it was only a thin piece of plastic and I know its meant to be there for a reason but to be honest... its pointless when you think about it. Who in their right minds would fill the washer bottle up with dirty water/screen wash with chunks of crap in? noone, so whats the point in adding a filter to something thats already a sealed container with nothing but water and screen wash in? The algae doesn't build up when the filter isn't there and its never caused any problems to the pumps themselves but instead actually allows a slightly stronger jet of water because of the lack of restrictions previously caused by the filter :)